Feeding the hungry

Ascension Addressing Food And Nutrition Insecurity Of Associates In Need

As Ascension continues to look for opportunities to meet the needs of the communities we serve by addressing social determinants of health, one initiative is demonstrating considerable success.

In 2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ascension’s Community Benefit team identified food insecurity as a significant need not only in many communities, but also for some of our associates. Consequently, the team organized a cross-functional, multidisciplinary workgroup to look into food access by researching the availability of healthy food options across our national ministry, beginning with Ascension associates.

In early 2022, the Food Insecurity Workgroup convened listening sessions in every Ministry Market. In exchange for completing a short survey about food resources, associates could select healthy grab-and-go meals or produce bags in their workplace cafeterias. In addition, the workgroup provided virtual food pantry access in every market by working with U.S. Hunger/Full Cart® to offer healthy food delivered directly to the participants in exchange for completing a short survey upon signup. This included 10 to 12 pounds of produce and six weeks’ worth of heart-healthy pantry staples for a family of four.

This initiative resulted in Ascension receiving U.S. Hunger’s 2022 Health Hero Award (see sidebar).

From April through May 2022, nearly 30,000 food resources were provided to an estimated 9,500 associates during the listening initiative. More than 5,000 associates responded to surveys on-site, and over 2,000 responded to surveys as part of the healthy food box delivery. One recipient shared: “Getting this box of food reminded me that I can take care of myself by nourishing my body with healthy foods. And finding ways to cook with new ingredients has given me a spark to try new recipes.”

Responses from the surveys validated what was being seen around the country, as associates cited rising food prices and lack of healthy food options as concerns. The survey data was then reviewed during engagement sessions where associates also demonstrated a desire to adjust eating and lifestyle behaviors to achieve better health outcomes and provided suggestions for how Ascension could support their efforts.

Based on these recommendations, the Food Insecurity Workgroup teamed up with TouchPoint Support Services, Ascension’s food service partner, to pilot a farmers market program in Ascension Wisconsin. The “market” is held monthly, rotating through hospital sites across the state, and offers fresh produce at cost and other healthy food options to associates and visitors.

John Joyce, a leader at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s, said associates have appreciated the convenience of the market. “Our partnership with TouchPoint has allowed us to offer high-quality food at very reasonable prices, and we are pleased to be able to offer this to our hardworking staff,” he said.

In addition to more affordable food options, TouchPoint has also collaborated with Ascension Wisconsin dietitians to develop healthy recipes, incorporating the lowcost seasonal produce into recipes that are then prepared by a TouchPoint chef during a “teaching kitchen” demonstration. The teaching kitchen is available to associates and visitors at Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital - Milwaukee Campus, Ascension Columbia St. Mary’s Hospital Ozaukee and Ascension SE Wisconsin Hospital - Elmbrook Campus.

Mary Paul, Vice President, Solidarity and Social Accountability, Ascension

“We use food as a connector, to identify and provide solutions for addressing the five major determinants of health,” said Mary Paul, Vice President, Solidarity and Social Accountability, Ascension, who serves as the Food Insecurity Workgroup co-lead. “As we begin to look more broadly at the needs of our communities and those we serve, we know that social determinants of health are the underlying socioeconomic factors that cause people to reach out for food assistance.”

The Wisconsin pilot has been well received by many associates, so much so that Ascension is expanding the farmers market concept into the Ascension Saint Agnes market in Maryland this year, with plans to scale in other markets based on market readiness and interest.

“Providing healthy food options to associates is just the beginning,” said Stacy Garrett-Ray, MD, MPH, MBA, Senior Vice President and Chief Community Impact Officer, Ascension, and Food Insecurity Workgroup Executive Sponsor. “We are dedicated to addressing other social determinants of health and health disparities through a variety of priorities and initiatives, which includes working to understand the health-related social needs impacting food security among patients and communities at large. This work is truly an amplification of our Mission to serve those who are most vulnerable.”

Ascension Receives Hunger Hero Award

For its work addressing food insecurity, Ascension received U.S. Hunger’s 2022 Health Hero Award, which honors the organization’s collaborators dedicated to fighting hunger and its root causes. U.S. Hunger is a hunger relief organization with innovative programs designed to help feed the 1 in 4 people struggling with food insecurity, and its Full Cart® virtual food bank can provide 10 to 12 pounds of produce and six weeks’ worth of heart-healthy pantry staples for a family of four. Ascension received the 2022 Hunger Hero during a livestreamed award ceremony in January and was one of only eight organizations in the country to receive the honor.

“Whether hosting meal-packing events in their communities, sponsoring boxes of food for families in need, or investing in our data-analytics system, these organizations embody the core values of corporate social responsibility and community engagement. Each winner has taken a bold stance against food and nutritional insecurity, inequity and plays an active role in the betterment of their communities,” said Rick Whitted, Chief Executive Officer, U.S. Hunger.

“Ascension is honored to receive this award as we continue to carry out our Mission and look for opportunities to meet the needs of our associates and the communities we serve,” said Mary Paul, Vice President, Solidarity and Social Accountability, Ascension.